A Jazz Fan Returns Home For the First Time
After almost 24 years as a lost Utah Jazz fan in New York City I will head to Salt Lake City on Tuesday to see my first game on the team’s home court. I felt like this season could be a good one for the Jazz so I decided to finally make a trip out there. Fortunately, since I am travelling alone, I was able to get a great seat (7 rows from the court, center court). If this does not seem like a big deal to you, here are some reasons why it is:
1) From the age of 8-19, my main form of coat consisted of two different Utah Jazz jackets, one a subtle purple, the other, an offensively loud purple and gold. Now the Jazz has switched to a much cooler sky and navy blue combo of colors that will allow younger kids to be proud Jazz fans without having to choose between supporting their team and speaking to girls.
2) I had to watch the Jazz lose twice in the Finals, in the home of a friend who was a Chicago Bulls fan, but who quickly jumped ship to the Nets, just in time to support Jason Kidd taking them to the finals twice, once the Bulls became terrible. And let’s not even talk about the legion of Knick fan friends I have who have only opened their mouths to jeer the Jazz’s non-title years, while ignoring their 10 consecutive losing seasons. I am already preparing to see their support roar back when the Knicks buy some free agents this Summer.
3) For one day I will not have to answer the question, “Utah Jazz? Why/How are you a Utah Jazz fan?”
4) The Utah Jazz are my favorite team in all of sports. From Malone/Stockton to Williams-Boozer and everyone in between they have always played a great style of basketball that was both educational and entertaining to a hoops fan (ignorant basketball fans might call the Jazz style “boring,” at least before Deron Williams showed up). They may not have won a championship yet, but they have always delivered a consistently good product. And maybe it’s because my comedy career reminds me of my two favorite Jazz players of all time – Stockton and Malone: it’s half-white, half-black, has never won anything, but gets strong support from people with the last name Cauvin.
Looking forward to Utah – and the team gift shop. Shockingly they don’t sell a lot of Utah Jazz merchandise in NYC, so I will be running through that place like the kids in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. I’ll report back on Wednesday.
10 COMMENTS
I was a Jazz fan in NY as well. Totally feel your pain. I’ve left since then, and now I’m in Denver (putting up with Nugget fans). Stoked for your pilgrimage to the ESA. Still the best place to visit if your a fan.
Thanks – this feels like a support group 🙂 I may be performing in Denver later this year so stay tuned. Thanks for reading.
Hello,
I found your blog through Salt City Hoops, the Jazz ESPN blog.
I just wanted to say that I’m also a Jazz fan who grew up in New York! Yes, that purple really didn’t put me in with the cool kids growing up. I became a Jazz fan in 97 when they made the finals the first year against the Bulls and I didn’t want to be like everyone else and like Jordan. Yes, I was a rebel. I’ve since moved to Chicago for college, and there isn’t exactly a strong fan base here either. Still haven’t gone out to Salt Lake, but will one day. We look really good this year!
Sorry but I didn’t know who you were before this but I looked up some of your stuff and it’s good. Keep up the good work!
Nice! Although by 1997 they were moving away from bright colors so you may have gotten off easier than me 🙂 Im hoping to be out in Chicago to perform one of these days, so stay tuned. Thanks for reading.
I just wanted to post a message from a Utah fan. I hope you have the time of your life. I am at all the games, and if you see me hanging around the arena, feel free to come over and say hi. I cruise around in a custom blue and white manual wheelchair (with little flashing lights in the front wheels). I sit in the wheelchair area at the top of section 4. Enjoy the game!
Cool – I will look for you. Thanks.
I’ll be leaving salt lake city for Texas (!) soon and I’ll miss the Jazz on TV and live more than anything else here. Be sure to pick up one of those sweet green retro jerseys with the J note while you’re here.
Man did you pick a good game to go to! That was one of their biggest games of the year. What a thriller. Glad you got to see it up close.
Amen!
So… did it live up to your expectations? Looked pretty good from Denver!
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